The second game of Magic Weekend saw a battle between second and third with the prize potentially being first spot in the table.
Wigan Warriors faced off against Catalans Dragons with Wigan’s star man Jai Field being back in the picture and in the halves.
That left the brilliant Bevan French at full-back, whereas a former Wiganer was set to pull strings for the Dragons with Catalans running a spine of Micky McIlorum, Mitchell Pearce, Arthur Mourgue and Sam Tomkins.
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βοΈ Matt Peet has confirmed his team for our @SuperLeague clash with @DragonsOfficiel, as Jai Field starts at St James' Park!#WWRL #MagicWeekend pic.twitter.com/snPIQ9GHcf
— Wigan Warriors πβͺοΈ (@WiganWarriorsRL) June 3, 2023
Cade Cust also returned to the fray for Wigan although he started from the bench.
π Le ππππ ππ ππΜπ©ππ«π de Steve McNamara pour affronter @WiganWarriorsRL #Dragonsπ² pic.twitter.com/9SOloKCocE
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) June 3, 2023
Catalans all-time leading try-scorer Fouad Yaha returned from injury in another huge boost for the Dragons.
Highlights
Wardle opens Wigan’s account
After an Arthur Mourgue penalty kick early on, it was Wigan who scored the first try of the day with Bevan French again being at the heart of it and helping Jake Wardle glide in in the corner.
Dragons dominate in response
Wigan kicked out on the full and from there it didn’t take long for Catalans to fire back with Sam Tomkins grabbing a bouncing ball and grounding under the stick just minutes before the ball was spread wide off the scrum, leaving Tom Johnstone to score his 15th of the season. Matt Whitley then added the third on the 25 minute leaving Wigan stunned.
More for Mourgue
This was one of the first instances this season that the Dragons had their halves and full-back fully fit and the class showed. Mitchell Pearce was pulling strings and just before the half hour mark he played in Mourgue who walked through courtesy of a dummy.
Wigan hit back before the break
After going three scores down Wigan started to play more off the cuff and it was that free-flowing style where they were happy to throw the ball around that got them their try. Miski was exceptional on the right wing and eventually French was able to dive over in the corner.
Magic Johnstone
Less than three minutes into the second half it was another score for Tom Johnstone, one that took him outright as top try scorer this season. A high kick was placed towards Abbas Miski and despite Toby King’s presence it was Tom Johnstone who rose spectacularly to claim the high ball and extend the lead.
Terrific Tomkins
It was Matt Whitley scoring next but once again it was all because of Sam Tomkins. In his final ever Magic Weekend as a player he drew all the attention and his brilliant pass left the second-rower to cross over untouched on the 50 minute mark.
Two in two minutes
It was an onslaught for the Dragons with Romano running through Jai Field, who struggled defensively on his return, off the back of a Mitchell Pearce pass. Just minutes later it was that same flank being targeted and Tom Johnstone completed his hattrick with an acrobatic effort for his 17th of the season.
Wigan consolation
Abbas Miski scored in the corner after copping an arm round his neck courtesy of Sam Tomkins. Whilst the conversion was missed, a penalty was awarded in front of the sticks which Harry Smith was able to convert having gone 0/3 previously. Liam Marshall added another later on and this time it was Jai Field who missed the conversion.
Johnstone gifts a try
After a near perfect performance from Tom Johnstone it was in the final minute wit the final play of the game when Johnstone tried to run it out of his in-goal and his offload failed and fell to Morgan Smithies for a consolation. Once again Harry Smith missed the extras.
Talking points
Player Ratings
Wigan Warriors
2 Bevan French – 6
23 Abbas Miski – 5
3 Toby King – 5
4 Jake Wardle – 5
5 Liam Marshall – 6
1 Jai Field – 4
7 Harry Smith – 4
15 Kaide Ellis – 5
9 Sam Powell – 5
10 Liam Byrne – 6
13 Morgan Smithies – 4
12 Liam Farrell – 5
19 Joe Shorrocks – 6
Sub
6 Cade Cust – 4
20 Patrick Mago – 5
26 Harvie Hill – 6
27 Junior Nsemba – 6
Catalans Dragons
1 Arthur Mourgue – 9
5 Fouad Yaha – 6
21 Matt Ikuvalu – 7
19 Arthur Romano – 7
24 Tom Johnstone – 10
29 Sam Tomkins – 9
7 Mitchell Pearce – 9
22 Siua Taukeiaho – 7
9 Micky McIlorum – 7
16 Romain Navarrete – 7
11 Matt Whitley – 8
8 Mike McMeeken – 8
13 Benjamin Garcia – 8
Subs
6 Tyrone May – NA
10 Julian Bousquet – 7
12 Paul Seguier – 6
23 Jordan Dezaria – 6
